Armadillos, Armadillo Pictures, Armadillo Facts - National Geographic 3 oz to 120 lbs (85 g to 54 kg) Did you know? The nine-banded armadillo’s hapless propensity for being run over by cars has earned it the nickname “Hillbilly Speed Bump.” Size relative to a 6-ft (2-m) man: Of the 20 varieties of armadillo, all but one live in Latin America. The familiar nine-banded armadillo is the only species that includes the United States in its range. Armadillo is a Spanish word meaning “little armored one” and refers to the bony plates that cover the back, head, legs, and tail of most of these odd looking creatures. Armadillos are the only living mammals that wear such shells. Closely related to anteaters and sloths, armadillos generally have a pointy or shovel-shaped snout and small eyes. They vary widely in size and color, from the 6-inch-long (15-centimeter-long), salmon-colored pink fairy armadillo to the 5-foot-long (1.5-meter-long), dark-brown giant armadillos.

Others have black, red, gray, or yellowish coloring. Contrary to popular belief, not all armadillos are able to encase themselves in their shells. In fact, only the three-banded armadillo can, curling its head and back feet and contorting its shell into a hard ball that confounds would-be predators. Habitat and Diet Armadillos live in temperate and warm habitats, including rain forests, grasslands, and semi-deserts. Because of their low metabolic rate and lack of fat stores, cold is their enemy, and spates of intemperate weather can wipe out whole populations. Most species dig burrows and sleep prolifically, up to 16 hours per day, foraging in the early morning and evening for beetles, ants, termites, and other insects. They have very poor eyesight, and utilize their keen sense of smell to hunt. Strong legs and huge front claws are used for digging, and long, sticky tongues for extracting ants and termites from their tunnels. In addition to bugs, armadillos eat small vertebrates, plants, and some fruit, as well as the occassional carrion meal.

Animals, Animals and More Animals: Armadillos Armadillos There are 20 recognized species of armadillo found in warm grassland and open forests from southern United States through most of South America. Armadillos can't live anywhere it's cold or dry because they have slow metabolisms and are not well insulated by fat. This makes them particularly susceptible to heat and water loss. The only species found in the United States is the nine-banded armadillo. The nine-banded also lives in Latin America, where the other 19 species can also be found. Armadillo is a Spanish one that means "little armored one". The armadillo is the only mammal that has over 2,000 large, solid plates of skin-covered bones that cover its back, head, legs and tail. These plates are connected by overlapping bands that encircle the armadillo's body, allowing it to bend. But, it is not very flexible. Most armadillos have pointy or shovel-shaped snouts, small eyes, strong legs and huge front claws that are ideal for digging. Armadillos range greatly in size and color.

The smallest species, the pink fairy armadillo, from the plains of western Argentina, measures only about 6 inches (15 cm) in length and weighs just 3 ounces. The largest species, the giant armadillo, found in the eastern part of South America, measures up to 5 feet (1.5 m) long and weighs up to 130 pounds. The pink fairy armadillo is salmon-colored, while other species of armadillo are black, red, grey or yellowish in color. Armadillos are not rodents or marsupials. They are not related to the opossum in any way. They actually are closely related to sloths and anteaters. The ironic thing is that armadillos are classified as toothless animals (Edentalas), even though some species have as many as 90-100 teeth. But, unlike other mammals, armadillos do not have tooth enamel, so they don't have very strong teeth. Most armadillos dig burrows and sleep up to 16 hours per day. They do their foraging early in the morning and in the evening.

Armadillos have very poor eyesight but very keen noses and long, sticky tongues that they use to extract ants and termites from their tunnels. In addition to beetles ants, termites and other insects, armadillos eat worms, grubworms, spiders, snails, small mammals, baby birds, eggs, plants and some fruit as well as some carrion (dead animals). Because armadillos eat carrion, armadillos are frequently hit by cars. The fact that they are also nocturnal also makes it hard for motorists to see them. A common myth is that all armadillos roll themselves up in a ball to protect themselves from predators. This is not true. Only the three-banded armadillo can curl its head and back feet and contort its shell into a hard ball. All other species have to resort to other means of protecting themselves against predators. Pink fairy armadillos will block the opening of its den with its blunt, scaly rear. The pichi armadillo wedges itself into its shallow burrow, making it hard for predators to drag it out because of its jagged scales. The nine-banded armadillo will startle its predator by jumping straight up into the air.

It may also dig or enter an existing burrow, or press its unprotected belly against the ground with its legs tucked under its armor. Some species of armadillo protect themselves by digging new tunnels into which they vanish. Others run into thorny bushes and rely on the thorns and their armor to protect themselves from the predators or roll up partially to protect their vulnerable soft bellies. Female armadillos gestate for about 150 days and give birth to fully-formed pups. The pups are born with their eyes open and take their first unsteady steps within a few hours after birth. Their skin is soft and leathery and hardens with age. Their leathery skin is fully hardened at 2 years of age. Most species of armadillos are threatened by habitat loss and over-hunting. Many people in Central and South America eat armadillos because they taste like high quality pork. The only population of armadillos that is expanding is the nine-banded armadillo.

The 20 Recognized Species of Armadillo Six Species of Genus Dasypus (Nine-Banded Armadillo), which includes Seven-Banded and Long-nosed Armadillos One Species of Genus Priodontes (Giant Armadillo) Three Species of Genus Chaetophractus (Hairy Armadillo) One Species of Genus Euphractus (Six-banded Armadillo) One Species of Genus Chlamyphorus (Pink Fairy Armadillo) One Species of Genus Calytophractus (Greater Fairy Armadillo) Two Species of Genus Tolypeutes (Three-Banded Armadillo) Four Species of Genus Cabassous (Naked-tailed Armadillo) One Species of Genus Zaedyus (Pichi or Dwarf Armadillo) Fun Armadillo Facts The nine-banded armadillo is the only species that can swim. They may even hold their breath and walk along the bottom when crossing streams. They can hold their breath for up to 6 minutes. The nine-banded armadillo always gives birth to four identical young that develop from the same egg and share the same placenta. These offspring are also all the same sex.

But occasionally, they'll give birth to three or five pups--all still genetically identical. The regular production of genetically idential offspring is known as "polyembryony". The nine-banded armadillos are the only mammals known to do this. All other armadillos only produce one offspring per fertilized egg. Armadillo (Dasypodidae) - Animals - A-Z Animals Characteristics unique to the animal Armoured plated skin and can curl into a ball Armadillo Location Armadillo The armadillo is native to both North America and South America, although only one species of Armadillo is found in the United States . The average armadillo measures around 75cm in length, including the tail but the giant armadillo can grow to more than 1.5m long and the miniature pink fairy armadillo (the smallest armadillo species) only gets to around 10cm in length. There are around 20 species of armadillo still existent on the American continent with the nine-banded armadillo being the only species found outside of the South American tropics.

The armadillo has a hard outer shell and can curl up into a ball leaving no soft body parts exposed to danger (a bit like a woodlouse). The armadillo also has long claws which the armadillo uses for digging burrows and hunting for insects in the earth. Despite the armadillo\'s odd shape, most armadillos can also reach a top speed of nearly 30 mph so can easily outrun most jungle predators . The primary predators of the armadillo are bears , wolves, wildcats and cougars. The armadillo has very poor vision which makes the armadillo somewhat vulnerable in its jungle environment . The armadillo\'s armour is formed by plates of bone covered in relatively small overlapping scales. The scales of the armadillo are known as scutes and these scutes are made up of bone with a covering of horn. The armadillo has additional armour that covers the top of its head, the upper parts of the armadillo\'s limbs and the armadillo\'s tail. The underside of the armadillo has no armour, and is simply covered with soft skin and fur, hence it\'s strategy of curling into a ball leaving only the armoured plates exposed.

The armadillo is generally an insectivore meaning that the diet of the armadillo is primarily comprised of insects . Armadillos also snack on other things including worms, spiders, snakes and frogs although the exact diet of the armadillo is very much dependent on the area which it inhabits. Female armadillos give birth to around four young which are born after a gestation period of three to four months. After birth, the baby armadillos remain in the burrow for a few months, only feeding on their mothers milk. They then begin to forage with the mother, eventually leaving after six months to a year. Some species of armadillo are known to reproduce every year so a single female armadillo can produce up to 56 young over the course of her life. Share This Article Armadillo | San Diego Zoo Animals & Plants San Diego Zoo Animals & Plants Species: 20 ABOUT A mammal with a shell? The armadillo is really strange looking. Although most armadillo species look like they are bald, they do have wiry hairs on the sides and the belly.

Some people refer to the hairs as curb feelers, since armadillos can feel their way around an area at night as the hairs touch objects. The one thing that tells everyone they are looking at an armadillo is the roly-poly shell with "armored" bands. The number of bands depends on the species. These hardened, overlapping sections give most armadillos a pleated look. Although the bands are tough like fingernails, the shell is flexible, with softer skin that expands and contracts between the bands. Armadillos also have long claws for digging and foraging for food. Their peg-shaped teeth crunch on insects, an armadillo's favorite food. Looks can be deceiving. In the looks department, the nine-banded armadillo appears naked, while the pink fairy armadillo is mostly furry and has little shell. In fact, it looks like a mole wearing a fancy, armored headdress and cape!

In the size department, armadillos range in length from the pink fairy armadillo at 3 inches (8 centimeters) to the giant armadillo, which can be up to 5 feet (1.5 meters) long from head to tail and weigh up to 132 pounds (60 kilograms). Band on the run. There are 20 armadillo species in the Americas; most live in Central or South America. Only the nine-banded armadillo is native to the United States. As body size and food sources vary, so do the home range and habitat of each armadillo species. In fact, everything varies when you're talking about armadillos! Most armadillos like wetlands with thick shade and sandy soil that is easy to dig in. But they are also found in thorn scrub, grasslands, and wooded areas. Armadillos burrow in grass, hollow logs, and sometimes underground. The heat is on. The majority of armadillos are solitary most of the time. They travel to look for food and try to avoid danger. When the weather is cold, armadillos may group together in burrows, often making a large nest of leaves, with grass inside.

They are not good at staying warm on their own and don’t seem to mind having others around. Seven-banded armadillos sometimes share the burrow with several others of the same gender. Armadillos have little body fat and thin shells, so they cannot maintain their internal temperature as most mammals do. This causes their behavior to change from season to season. For example, in hotter months, armadillos may be nocturnal, foraging at night when it is cooler and easy to move around. When the weather gets cooler, the same armadillos may start foraging earlier in the day, becoming more diurnal. Shell game. An armadillo's hard shell is simply modified skin that serves as one way this unusual animal protects itself. When an armadillo feels threatened, it usually runs, digs, or presses its body down in the dirt to keep from getting flipped over. The three-banded armadillo is the only species that can roll up into a ball for protection: its teardrop-shaped head plate seals the opening so there are no chinks in the armor. Threats to armadillos include domestic dogs, wild cats, birds of prey, and humans. All my exes live in Texas.

Nine-banded armadillos are also known as long-nosed armadillos because of their longer head and snout. Despite the common name, they can have eight or nine bands, depending on where they live. This is the species commonly seen in Texas, where it was adopted as the official state mammal. Armored king. Besides being the largest of the armadillos, the giant armadillo also has the most teeth, up to 100! It often rises on its back legs, balancing with its tail. It digs a burrow out of large ant nests, which are common in the Chaco region, using its six-inch claws. Little else is known about this amazing creature, one of the most endangered mammals in South America. HABITAT AND DIET All in the family. Armadillos are insectivores, and their closest relatives are sloths and anteaters. Although most of their diet consists of insects and invertebrates, armadillos also eat fruit, eggs, and small animals. They even eat carrion. When the weather is cold, armadillos may group together in burrows, often making a large nest of leaves, with grass inside.

They are not good at staying warm on their own and don’t seem to mind having others around. Seven-banded armadillos sometimes share the burrow with several others of the same gender. Smell that? A sensitive nose helps armadillos sniff out tasty treats. Nine-banded armadillos grunt constantly while rooting around for food. If the food is underground, they use their long front claws to dig it up. This digging is why many people consider armadillos pests. Farmers and gardeners do not want this animal rooting around for bugs while destroying their crops or plants. At the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park, armadillos eat a special insectivore pellet diet that is served dry or with water to make a paste, mealworms, crickets, and fruit or cooked root vegetables. FAMILY LIFE Little balls of joy. Breeding season for armadillos varies from species to species, but there are some armadillos that can reproduce year-round. Gestation is anywhere from two to five months. Armadillos do not form bonds, and the father does not stay to help raise the young. A baby armadillo is called a pup.

Armadillos can have from 1 to 12 pups in a litter. When the pups are born, their shell is soft and gray and feels like leather. They can roll up into a ball within hours of being born. The shell hardens within a few days. The mother nurses the pups for 2 to 4 months. Armadillos usually become mature between 9 and 12 months of age. The life span of an armadillo ranges from 4 to 30 years. Most armadillos in zoos live longer. However, the pink fairy armadillo rarely lives more than a few years in zoos, so little is known about this species. AT THE ZOO Ambassadors on a roll. Although we have had armadillos on and off since our earliest days, they were rarely exhibited; as nocturnal creatures, our guests seldom saw them! Armadillos don’t generally bond well with people, and they can jump, popping 6 feet (1.8 meters) in the air with their strong legs if they want to get away from someone. It takes an especially calm armadillo to make a good animal ambassador.

These days, the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park have three-banded armadillos that serve as excellent animal ambassadors, meeting guests up close and making television appearances. CONSERVATION Threats and hazards. Humans affect the armadillo in many ways. Some people consider them pests and call exterminators to rid them from their gardens. Armadillos are often run over by cars as the animals cross roads looking for food and new habitat. Many people eat them and use their shells for novelties like purses. Another growing threat to all armadillos is habitat destruction: all species except the nine-banded armadillo Dasypus novemcinctus are decreasing in population. Five armadillo species are classified as vulnerable. These animals are truly industrious excavators that are great at digging, serve as excellent insect control, and both confuse and delight most humans who come across them. LIFE SPAN Genus Chlamyphorus Genus Chlamyphorus [Collapse Menu] Pink fairy armadillo One species of pink fairy armadillo (C. truncatus) is recognized.

The pink fairy armadillo was previously considered to be closely related to the greater fairy armadillo (Calyptophractus retusus) but more recent evidence has shown that the greater fairy armadillo deserves its own genus. Chlamyphorus truncatus Head and body length: 84 — 117 mm (3.3 — 4.6 in). Tail length: 27 — 35 mm (1.1 — 1.4 in). Weight: Unspecified. Description: C. truncatus is the smallest of the armadillos. The shell is pale pink in color, anchored to two large, rough prominences in the bone above the eyes and by a narrow ridge of flesh along the spine. The legs, undersides of the body and under the shell is covered with soft, fine white hairs. All bands of the shell across the neck and body move freely. C. truncatus is the only armadillo with the dorsal shell almost completely separated from the body. A bone plate in the shell at the rear of the animal is securely attached to the pelvic bones. The tail is spatula-shaped, and protrudes from a notch in the rear plate.

The tail cannot be raised, and as a result drags behind the animal as it walks. Females posses two mammae. Habitat: The pink fairy armadillo inhabits dry grasslands and sandy plains with thorn bushes and cactus. Ecology: C. truncatus is nocturnal, and sluggish except when burrowing. It can burrow rapidly enough to completely bury itself within seconds when threatened. When digging, the animal supports its hind end using the tail, and quickly throws dirt underneath and behind itself, using the front feet to pile up dirt beneath it and the hind feet to shove the dirt away. C. truncatus often uses the flat armor plate at the rear to plug the opening of the burrow, like a cork. Burrows are often found near an anthill, preferably in dry soil that feels uncomfortably warm to the human hand. C. truncatus will leave the burrow if it rains enough to moisten the soil. C. truncatus feeds primarily on ants and ant larvae; they are also known to eat worms, snails, roots and other plant material. Biology: C. truncatus does not do well in captivity. No specimens of C.

truncatus have ever survived more than four years in captivity. C. truncatus is classified as endangered by the IUCN and the USDI (1980), due to habitat reduction by agriculture and predation by domestic dogs. Pictures: The Instituto Argentino de Investigaciones de las Zonas Áridas website has two pictures of a pink fairy armadillo, with a map describing the current range of this species. The Folklore del Norte website also has a photo of C. truncatus as well as several other armadillo species. (Note: Both websites are in Spanish) Armadillo Facts Armadillo Facts By Alina Bradford, Live Science Contributor | October 6, 2015 12:36am ET MORE The three-banded armadillo is the only species that can roll into a ball for protection. Credit: belizar | Shutterstock Armadillos are barrel-shaped animals covered with natural armor. In fact, its name in Spanish means “little armored one.” The armadillo’s armor works well against most predators, but not against cars. They are also known as the “Hillbilly Speed Bump” for their tendency to get run over by vehicles.

Size & Description There are 21 species of armadillo, according to the Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS). Some armadillos are very small, while others are huge. The smallest is the pink fairy armadillo, which is about 6 inches (15 centimeters) long. Giant armadillos are the largest species, and are about 5 feet (1.5 meters) long, according to National Geographic . An armadillo's armor is made up of overlapping plates covering the back, head, legs and tail. The number of armored bands identifies the different species, according to the San Diego Zoo . Only one species, the three-banded armadillo, can roll itself into a hard armored ball to defend itself against predators. Other armadillo species simply dig a hole quickly and hunker down so that their tender stomach is protected and their armor is the only thing visible. Armadillos have pointy snouts and long, sticky tongues, similar to anteaters, which are close cousins. Their eyesight is poor, so they hunt with a highly developed sense of smell.

They also have wiry hairs along their sides and belly, which they use to feel their way around, like curb feelers on some cars. They also have strong legs and sharp claws for digging. Habitat Most armadillos stick to areas closer to the equator because they like temperate to warm areas due to their lack of fat stores. According to the Internet Center for Wildlife Damage Management , armadillos are very picky about where they live based on what type of soil is found in the area. Usually, armadillos prefer sandy or loam soils that are loose and porous. This makes digging for food and creating burrows easier. All armadillos live in Central and South America, except for one species. The nine-banded armadillo ranges from Argentina to the southern United States, according to the Animal Diversity Web (ADW) at the University of Michigan. Since the mid-19th century, nine-banded armadillos have expanded northward. They have been seen in Florida and are now common in Missouri. In 2000, the body of a nine-banded armadillo was found in central Illinois, according to ADW.

Habits Armadillos are not social creatures and spend most of their time sleeping. They usually sleep up to 16 hours each day in burrows, according to National Geographic. During the morning and evenings, they forage for food. Usually, the only time armadillos get together is to mate or to keep warm. During cold times, a group of armadillos may hunker down in a burrow together to share body heat. Sometimes, a seven-banded armadillo will share its burrow with others of the same gender, though. Diet Armadillos are omnivores, which means they eat meat and plants, though 90 percent of an armadillo’s diet is made up of insects and larvae, according to the Internet Center for Wildlife Damage Management. With their long, sticky tongue, armadillos catch ants, beetles, termites and other insects after digging them out of the ground. They also eat plants, eggs, small vertebrates and some fruit. From time to time, they will scavenge for dead animals. The screaming hairy armadillo gets its name from the sound it makes when threatened.

Credit: Robert Eastman Shutterstock Offspring After a gestation period of two to five months, the female will give birth to one to 12 young in a birthing burrow. These burrows can be up to 15 feet (4.5 m) wide, according to the Internet Center for Wildlife Damage. Baby armadillos are called pups. According to the San Diego Zoo, twin births are common. Nine-banded armadillos have four identical pups of the same gender in every litter, and the seven-banded armadillo has eight to 15 identical pups at one time. Pups mature quickly. They are weaned by two to four months. By nine to 12 months, the pups are mature and ready to have offspring of their own. Armadillos can live anywhere from four to 30 years. The median life expectancy for three-banded armadillos is around 16 years. Classification/taxonomy Here is the taxonomy of armadillos , according to ITIS: Kingdom: Animalia Tolypeutes tricinctus — Brazilian three-banded armadillo Conservation status According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), armadillos are not endangered.

Some species are vulnerable, though. For example, the Andean hairy armadillo is considered vulnerable because its population has declined by more than 30 percent in the past 10 years. The giant armadillo is considered vulnerable because its population has decreased by at least 30 percent in the past 21 years. Other facts Armadillos have a wide range of colors. They can be pink, red, black, gray or yellow. Some people eat armadillos and claim it tastes like pork. The nine-banded armadillo is the official state animal of Texas. The giant armadillo can have up to 100 teeth, according to the San Diego Zoo. The screaming hairy armadillo gets it name from the sound it makes when threatened. Don't get the idea that they are cowards, however. They have been known to throw their bodies on top of snakes, killing them by cutting them with the sharp edges of their shells, according to the San Diego Zoo.

Additional resources 1000+ images about Animals - ARMADILLOS on Pinterest | Vacation rentals, Pets and 130 lbs Armadillo by applejack 327 (Rynette) via Flickr ~ Armadillo at the Viera Wetlands in Viera, FL. Photo taken on January 20, 2010. See More Further Reading Introduction Scientists classify armadillos with anteaters and sloths. This tells us that they have poorly developed teeth and limited mobility. In fact, armadillos have small, peg-like teeth that are useful for grinding their food but of little value for capturing prey. No other mammal in Georgia has bony skin plates or a “shell,” which makes the armadillo easy to identify. Just like a turtle, the shell is called a carapace. Armadillos are common in central and southern Georgia and are moving northward. Only one species of armadillo lives in Georgia and the southeastern United States, but 20 recognized species are found throughout Central and South America. These include the giant armadillo, which can weigh up to 130 pounds, and the pink fairy armadillo, which weighs less than 4 ounces.

About two million years ago a relative of the armadillo as large as a rhinoceros lived in South America, and small cousins lived as far north as Canada. These disappeared in the ice ages long before humans inhabited North America. Taxonomy Order Xenarthra – Armadillos, Anteaters, and Sloths Family Dasypodidae – Armadillo Nine-banded Armadillo – Dasypus novemcinctus The genus name, Dasypus, is thought to be derived from a Greek word for hare or rabbit. The armadillo is so named because the Aztec word for armadillo meant turtle-rabbit. The species name, novemcinctus, refers to the nine movable bands on the middle portion of their shell or carapace. Their common name, armadillo, is derived from a Spanish word meaning “little armored one.” Status Armadillos are considered both an exotic species and a pest. Georgia law prohibits keeping armadillos in captivity, however. Because they are not protected in Georgia, they can be hunted or trapped throughout the year. There are no specific threats to their survival. Armadillos have few natural predators.

Many are killed while trying to cross roads or highways or when feeding along roadsides. Description The nine-banded armadillo is about the size of an opossum or large house cat. They are 24 to 32 inches long of which 9½ to 14½ inches is tail. The larger adult males weigh between 12 and 17 pounds whereas the smaller females weigh between 8 and 13 pounds. They are brown to yellow-brown and have a few sparse hairs on their bellies. Long claws make them proficient diggers. They have 4 toes on each front foot and 5 on each back foot. The toes are spread so that a walking track looks somewhat like an opossum or raccoon. The ears are about an 1½ inches long and the snout is pig-like. Distribution About two million years age, a relative of the armadillo as large as a rhinoceros lived in South America. Smaller cousins lived as far north as Canada. All of these forms disappeared in the ice ages long before humans inhabited North America. At the start of the 20th century, the nine-banded armadillo was present in Texas.

By the 1930s, they were in Louisiana and by 1954 they had crossed the Mississippi River heading east. In the 1950s, they were introduced into Florida and began heading north. Today, some maps (Georgia Wildlife Web: ) show them to be restricted to South Georgia but, in fact, they are present as far north as Athens and Rome, Georgia. They occur throughout the South from Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas through Missouri, eastern Tennessee and into South Carolina. They are currently absent from North Carolina but are likely to continue to move northward along the coast and into the Piedmont. Because they do not tolerate cold temperatures (below about 36 degrees F), several studies suggest that farther northward migration into the Appalachian Mountains will be limited. Form and Function The armadillo’s appearance is unique among Georgia’s mammals. The shell (carapace) is made up of scutes or bony plates attached to a tough epidermal skin layer. Since each scute overlaps slightly with the one before it, the entire shell appears to move like a telescope or accordion. The ears, underbelly and parts of the head and limbs are not covered by the shell. The head is relatively small.

The skull is tubular; the lower jaw is long and slender. There are 7 or 8 teeth in each jawbone or 14-16 teeth in the lower jaw and the same number in the upper jaw. The teeth are small pegs with a single root. Armadillos can have 7-10 bands on the shell even though their name indicates nine. Males are about 25 percent heavier than females on average. Though males lack a scrotum and external testes, the sexes are easy to distinguish by the presence of four teats in females. Both sexes possess anal glands that protrude when the animal is excited. The anal glands produce a strong odor but, unlike a skunk, they do not spray. Ecology Armadillos dig their own burrows or use the burrow of another armadillo, tortoises or natural holes. They do not hibernate but neither can they tolerate high temperature (above about 85 degrees F). During the winter months they often are active during the warmer part of the day. During the hot summer, activity shifts to the cooler night hours.

While they can remain in their burrows for several days, they do not store food or accumulate large stores of body fat, so they must eventually emerge to forage. In bad weather, they can freeze to death or starve if they are unable to locate food. Armadillos rely on a good sense of smell to locate food but have poor eyesight. They eat insects and surrounding soil and plant litter while foraging, so their droppings consist of undigested insect parts, soil and litter fragments. Droppings are about the size and shape of marbles. Reproduction Armadillos reach sexual maturity at about one year of age. They breed between June and August. They have delayed implantation (a step in development when the fetus attaches to the wall of the uterus), which can last for up to four months. Implantation occurs around November and gestation lasts about four months. Generally, the female produces only one litter per year. A single fertilized egg gives rise to four separate embryos. Thus each litter consists of four identical quadruplets. Fully formed young are born with their eyes open in March or April.

They weigh 3-4 ounces at birth and can walk within a few hours but remain in the nest or burrow for 2-3 weeks. Then the young follow their mother while foraging. The young leave the nest at 20-22 days (around the first or second week of June in south Georgia), drink water at 21-25 days, eat solid food at 35-42 days, eat insects at 71-74 days, and are weaned at 90-140 days. The armor plates on the young are soft and flexible at birth — not hardening to the typical adult form until July in south Georgia. The male plays no role in raising or caring for the young. Feeding Armadillos are largely insectivores but may consume fruit when available. Their skull, jaw and teeth are adapted to a specialized diet. Their tongue is sticky with rear facing hooks giving the tongue a rough texture. The armadillo’s diet consists mainly of invertebrates including insects (beetles, wasps, moth larvae) and also ants, millipedes, centipedes, snails, leeches, and earthworms.

The exact composition varies by season, availability and geographic locations. Studies show they also consume fruit, seeds and other vegetable matter. They have been reported to consume newborn rabbits and at least one robin. It is unknown if they merely found these animals dead or not. Other items known to be consumed by armadillo include salamanders, toads, frogs, lizards, skinks, and small snakes. University of Georgia researchers studying armadillos on Cumberland Island found that, although their diets varied seasonally, 99 percent of their diet consisted of beetle (Coleoptera) larvae, and ant and wasp (Hymenoptera) eggs, pupae and adults. White grubs and wireworms were the most frequently consumed larvae throughout the year. Armadillos were also found to consume earthworms, crabs, crayfish, butterfly and moth larvae, fruits and vertebrates. In addition, 60 out of 171 armadillo (35%) in the sample ate fruit. Grapes, saw palmetto, greenbrier and Carolina laurel cherry were most common in the diet.

Armadillos also occasionally consumed spadefoot toad, five-lined skink, green anole, eastern fence lizard, rough green snake, and various snake and lizard eggs. Using remote cameras to study nest predation, several studies have shown that armadillos consume quail eggs. Other observers report that sea turtle eggs are eaten. Feeding activity, such as digging, is often considered a nuisance, although consumption of ants, including fire ants, and white grubs may be beneficial in other ways. Small invertebrates are swallowed whole while large items are chewed. They will hold and tear apart larger food items with their claws and feet. In one study in Alabama, nearly every fire ant mound on the study site showed evidence of disturbance by armadillo. They seem undeterred by the bite of the fire ant. Armadillos have been observed tearing the bark from fallen trees, presumably to feed on the insects (beetles and termites) in the decaying wood. They move slowly while feeding and locate food items by smell. The diet shifts to fruits in the summer and fall as these items are often abundant in southern U.S. forests. Behavior Armadillos spend most of their active time outside the burrow feeding.

They move slowly – traveling between 0.15 and 0.65 miles per hour — often in an erratic, wandering pattern. Often grunting like pigs and with their snouts to the ground, they forage by smell and possibly sound. They often use their sticky tongue to probe holes searching for food, but they are also powerful diggers. Foraging pits are up to 5 inches deep and are often found in moist soil. Periodically they will stop foraging, stand upright on their hind legs balancing with their tails, and sniff the air. They also take low hanging fruits from this posture. Armadillos mark their territory with secretions from the anal gland. Individuals may be able to recognize others through scent marking. When alarmed they can run quickly. They have a habit of leaping vertically like a bucking horse before running away in a surprising burst of speed. The anal gland’s strong odor and the sudden leaping motion may momentarily startle a predator, possibly allowing the armadillo to escape. Contrary to popular folklore, the nine-banded armadillo cannot curl into a ball to protect itself. Armadillos are good climbers and readily climb fences although they are not known to climb trees.

They often use fallen and leaning logs and trees to escape rising water along streams and rivers. Armadillos can cross water by either swimming in a typical, dog-paddle motion or walking on the bottom while holding their breath. Buoyancy is increased by ingesting air into the stomach and intestines. Armadillos can cross small water bodies by holding their breath and walking underwater for short distances. One armadillo swam across a river 140 yards wide. Having a specific gravity of 1.06 helps, since it makes them heavier than water. Armadillo are known to take mud baths on hot days, perhaps to remove parasites or to coat themselves in cooling mud. They make a variety of low grunting sounds when feeding or to call young to mother. Other sounds are described as “wheezy grunt,” “pig-like sound,” “buzzing noise” and a “weak purring” made by very young armadillo while attempting to nurse. They are capable of learning simple tasks in a laboratory, such as recognizing patterns in a Y-maze. They are primarily solitary animals except during brief periods for mating and mother-young groups. Habitat Armadillos prefer habitat near streams but avoid excessively wet or dry extremes.

Soil type is important due to their burrowing. They prefer sandy or clay soils. Armadillos can be found in pine forests, hardwood woodlands, grass prairies, salt marsh and coastal dunes. Human created habitats such as pasture, cemeteries, parks, golf courses, plant nurseries and crop lands also provide suitable habitat. They also forage along roadsides. While foraging, armadillos always seem to know where they are and, if alarmed, often take a direct route to the safety of a nearby burrow or tangle of roots and briars. They usually dig their own burrows. Burrow entrances will be 8 to 10 inches across and range from 2 to 24 feet long averaging 3 to 4 feet. The burrow entrance is often concealed among clumps of vegetation, fallen logs or under buildings. Each armadillo may have 5 to 10 burrows. The average number of different burrows used per individual armadillo was 10.9. Other animals will use armadillo burrows including rabbits, opossums, mink, cotton rats, striped skunks, burrowing owls, and the eastern indigo snake.

Occasionally, armadillos will cohabit with other animals. Armadillo do not always dig a burrow; some will build nests out of dry grass. These nests resemble small haystacks and are often used in areas of wet soil. On Cumberland Island, University of Georgia researchers found that 75 percent of all dens were under saw palmetto plants. An individual’s home range varies from 1.5 to 22.5 acres. The home range size is smaller for the armadillo than for similar sized animals. Researchers at the University of Georgia found that armadillos on Cumberland Island had a home range of 13 acres in summer and only 4 acres in winter. Armadillos spent 65 percent of their time in burrows in winter compared to only 29 percent in summer. Enemies Armadillos have few wild predators, but coyotes, dogs, black bears, bobcats, cougars, foxes and raccoons are reported to catch and kill armadillos in places where these predators occur. Hawks, owls and feral pigs may prey on armadillo young. One study noted a decline in armadillo numbers as feral pig populations increased.

Humans and highways are significant sources of mortality in many areas. One study in Florida, however, found no juveniles in a road-killed sample. Populations The sex ratio by litter is 1 male litter (= 4 identical quadruplets) per 0.78 female litters in Florida. Armadillos probably live 6 to 7 years in the wild. Population density is about one animal per 4 acres but could range as high as two animals per acre. General Their flesh is tasty and often eaten by people. Weather, especially cold winters, may be the most effective barrier to northern range expansion. Their normal body temperature is 92-95 degrees F. Disease Armadillos may carry diseases transmissible to humans, but reports are rare. Armadillos can acquire leprosy and are used in medical research to study this disease. Only two cases are known in which a human contracted leprosy from wild armadillos. Both cases are from Texas, and the transmission occurred by consuming raw or undercooked armadillo meat. There are no reported positive cases in Georgia, Alabama or Florida. One wild armadillo in Texas was reported to have rabies but no known transmission to humans has occurred.

Armadillos on Cumberland Island, Georgia, had between 0 and 3 species of parasitic worms per individual. The average was 14 worms per individual armadillo but the impact of these parasites on the health of the animal is unknown. Economic Value One study in Texas from 1975-1979 put the total amount of damage at $20,000 for a limited area but did not specify the type of damage. In Georgia, 78 percent of county agents reported receiving requests for information regarding armadillos, and that armadillo complaints accounted for nearly 11 percent of all animal complaints they received each year. No dollar value was attached to the damage complaints, however. Furthermore, the monetary value of damage done to vehicles is not known. Damage occurs to lawns and landscape due to digging for insects and other food items. Shallow holes 1 to 3 inches deep and 3 to 5 inches wide, usually shaped like an inverted cone, are the most common landowner complaints. Armadillos can uproot flowers and other plantings through their foraging. Damage is generally local and of a nuisance variety more than a large scale economic loss.

Legal Aspects Armadillos are not protected in Georgia. There are no season or harvest restrictions. Control to Reduce Armadillo can be controlled by trapping. Wire cage live traps measuring at least 10 x 12 x 32 inches are recommended. Use of wings, constructed of 1 x 6 inch lumber in various lengths and placed in a V-arrangement in front of the trap can help to “funnel” the armadillo into the trap. Setting traps along natural barriers like logs or the side of a building increases capture success. Placing the trap in front of a burrow entrance is better than random placement in the environment. No bait, lure or attractant has been shown to be effective in increasing capture success, although there are numerous report of baits used with varying success. No repellents are registered for use with armadillo. No toxicants (poisons) are registered for use. Pesticide use to reduce insect populations in landscape settings may be effective. No fumigants are registered for use to control armadillo. Shooting is an effective control technique. Use a .22 caliber rifle in a safe and legal manner. Check city and county ordinances before discharging weapons.

Always practice safe gun handling procedures. Management to Enhance Management activities are usually directed at control and elimination rather than enhancement. Human Use Native American Use – None. Armadillos are widely used (and considered a delicacy) by many cultures in Central and South America. Colonists View – None. Further Reading Bond, B.T., M.I. Nelson, and R.J. Warren. 2000. Home range dynamics and den use of nine-banded armadillo on Cumberland Island, Georgia. Proceedings of the Annual Conference of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies 54:415-423. Gammons, D.J., M.T. Mengak, and L.M. Conner. 2005. Evaluation of attractants for live-trapping nine-banded armadillos. WSFR Wildlife Management Series – WSFR-WMS-05-04. Gardner, A.L., and M.E. Sunquist. 2003. Armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus). Pages 75-97 in Wild Mammals of North America: Biology, management, and conservation. Edited by G.A. Feldhammer, B.

C. Thompson, and J. A. Chapman. Second Edition. The Johns Hopkins University Press. Landau, D., and S. Stump. 1994. Living with wildlife. California Center for Wildlife. Sierra Club Books. San Francisco. Osborn D.A., M.I. Nelson, and R.J. Warren. 2000. Armadillo diets among seasons and between habitats on Cumberland Island. Georgia. Proceedings of the Annual Conference of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies 54:282-291. Radomski, A.A., D.A. Osborn, D.B. Pence, M.I. Nelson, and R. J. Warren. 1991. Visceral helminthes from an expanding insular population of the long-nosed armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus). Journal of the Helminthological Society 58(1): 1-6. Humane Society of the United States.1997. Wild Neighbors: The humane approach to living with wildlife. Golden, Colo: Fulcrum Publishing.

Status and Revision History Published on Oct 15, 2005 Re-published on Feb 5, 2009 Re-published on Apr 2, 2009 Reviewed on Apr 5, 2012 Taxonomy Taxonomy [Collapse Menu] Scientific names Taxonomy is the science of classifying organisms. The system currently used by taxonomists is called the Linnaean taxonomic system, in honor of Swedish biologist Carolus Linnaeus (1707 — 1778). The Linnaean system breaks down organisms into seven major divisions, called taxa (singular: taxon). The divisions are as follows: Major Taxonomic Levels Genus Species Note: There are many subdivisions of the seven main taxonomic levels, such as Subphylum, Subclass, Infraclass, and so on. You may see many of these other sublevel taxa listed in the taxonomic tree of an organism. The classification levels become more specific towards the bottom. Many organisms belong to the same kingdom, fewer belong to the same phylum, and so on, with species being the most specific classification. A species is one group of genetically distinct, interbreeding organisms.

The average genetic differences within a species are less than the average differences between that species and a closely related group of organisms. The classifications also tell something about the degree of relation between different organisms. For example, two animals that belong to the same family and genus are more closely related than two animals that simply belong to the same family. Here are two examples of the Linnaean taxonomic system of classification, for humans and armadillos: Common Name: Homo sapiens Dasypus novemcinctus Note: Cingulata used to be called Xenarthra, named for a small bony bump found on the vertebrae of some members of this order. Before that, Cingulata was known as Edentata, meaning “without teeth”. Both of these earlier names have fallen out of favor: Xenarthra is now elevated to the level of a superorder, while Edentata is not accurate, as most cingulates do in fact bear teeth. Many sources will still incorrectly list Xenarthra or Edentata as the order. The taxonomic tree above tells us that humans and armadillos are related, but not closely. We share the same class, but belong to different orders.

Most of the information at the higher levels is not included in the standard description of an organism. For most plants and animals, just listing the family, genus or species is enough to let biologists know what the other levels should be. The most common way to list the taxonomic name of an organism is to list the genus and species; this is known as binomial nomenclature, meaning a two-name system. When using this listing, the genus should always be italicized and capitalized, while the species is not capitalized. You may have noticed that in the example above I included the genus name in with the species. This is the preferred way of listing species, to avoid confusion. There could possibly be another organism with the species name sapiens, for example, but there is only one Homo sapiens. The taxonomic names are usually in Latin, although species are often named after the person who first described them. Using Latin helps to give a general description of the organism through its taxonomic classification. For example (using the nine-banded armadillo again): Common Name: Dasypus novemcinctus Novem: nine; -cinctus: band. Nine-banded. The descriptive names work for other species as well.

So long as you understand some Latin, you can learn a lot about an organism from its scientific name. For example, look at our own species name: Homo sapiens. Homo means “self” or “same”, meaning “the same as me” — which, for you, means “human”. Sapiens means “wise”. Therefore, Homo sapiens means “Wise human”. Now that you know a little more about the taxonomic system, you can impress your friends! When they say, “Hey, look at that critter! What is it?” you can reply, in a calm and official-sounding voice, “That’s a D. novemcinctus, no doubt about it.” Links marked with this icon [ ] will leave this website. Lifeform of the week: Armadillos | Earth | EarthSky Lifeform of the week: Armadillos By Alex Reshanov in Earth | Science Wire | February 16, 2016 From the pink fairy to the screaming hairy, armadillos are a most peculiar mammal. VladLazarenko I’ve been living in Texas for over six years now and blogging about animals for four of those years.

And yet not once have I written about armadillos, a shameful omission which I will remedy today in this latest installment of Lifeform of the Week. Join me, dear reader, as there is much to learn… For instance, until recently I believed one particular species – the nine-banded armadillo – to be the official state mammal of Texas. But it turns out it’s only the small state mammal. We also have a large state mammal (the Texas Longhorn) and a flying state mammal (the Mexican free-tailed bat). All this state symbol hoarding is a bit greedy, if you ask me. Just pick a mammal, Texas. You can’t have them all. Nevertheless armadillos are an important part of the state’s identity. Charming some with their paradoxical appearance, annoying others with their tendency to dig up lawns, and constantly littering our highways with their adorable armored carcasses. Mammal in a shell Anatomy of an armadillo. Image: Ryan Somma. Armadillos are new world mammals, originating in South America.

Most of the 21 extant species are found only on that continent, but a few have ventured northward to Central America and, in the case of the nine-banded armadillo, have even crossed the U.S. border. Enjoying EarthSky? Sign up for our free daily newsletter today! Those of you residing in non-armadilloed parts of the world may be surprised to learn that they’re mammals at all. That’s understandable. If asked to sort the armadillo upon first sighting, most people would place it somewhere closer to reptiles. In reality, sloths and anteaters are armadillos’ nearest relatives, but the shell (called a carapace) immediately evokes turtles. Three-banded armadillo all curled up. Image: Stephanie Clifford. The armadillo carapace is formed in the dermal layer of the animal’s skin (after formation of the skeleton) and is composed of boney scale-like structures called scutes, topped with a layer of keratin (a component of hair, nails, and horns). The basic carapace structure for most species is one piece covering the shoulders, another covering the rear, and some bands in the middle.

Limbs, face, and tail are also usually armored (though naked-tailed armadillos – genus Cabassous – forgo that last bit). Whether the carapace evolved specifically to shield armadillos from the jaws of predators is debatable. And only three-banded armadillos (genus Tolypeutes) are capable of rolling themselves into an impenetrable ball when threatened. The shell may also offer protection from fellow armadillos (they do fight, especially during the mating season) and it allows them to tromp merrily through thorny vegetation that would shred the hides and/or cargo pants or less armored species. Bugs and burrows Besides the carapace, the other crucial anatomical feature shared by all species of armadillo is claws. Armadillos spend a good deal of time digging and their feet are equipped with varying degrees of sharp talons to accomplish this task. The six-banded armadillo and its formidable claws. Image: Whaldener Endo. The digging is for both room and board. The room part involves the excavation of burrows.

Some species, like the pink fairy armadillo (the smallest, and by some accounts cutest, species of armadillo) live almost entirely underground, whereas others just use burrows for sleeping and nest building. And all armadillos dig for their dinner. While some species supplement their diet with fruit, invertebrates, and even carrion, all seem to enjoy unearthing a good bug. The biggest and scariest claws are found on armadillos that specialize in tearing open the nests of social insects. For this reason, and because it can reach a mass of 45 kg, do not want to mess with the giant armadillo (Priodontes maximus) an avid connoisseur of termites. Conquering the U.S. The pink fairy armadillo seen in its aboveground taxidermied form. Image: Daderot. Armadillo diversity in South America isn’t bad. As mentioned, they range from tiny (pink fairy armadillo) to enormous (giant armadillo). There are three-banded and six-banded armadillos. There long-nosed armadillos and screaming hairy armadillos (the latter of which can be rather vocal when startled).

But here in the United States, we just have the one species – Dasypus novemcinctus, the nine-banded armadillo.* Our armadillo is a relative newcomer to the U.S., first reported in the Rio Grand Valley only in the mid-nineteenth century. But in the 150 plus years since, the species has rapidly increased its range, which now covers much of Texas and Louisiana, and stretches as far north as Nebraska. Nine-banded armadillos have also set up shop in Florida and parts of Georgia, but that was a separate invasion/expansion caused by the usual Florida factor of captive animals escaping into the wild (oh, Florida, when will you learn?). Reshaping of the southern U.S. landscape by settlers in the 19th century likely helped nine-banded armadillos expand their range, as did the displacement of Native Americans, who were more willing than Europeans to hunt the animals. But the critters also benefit from not being too set in their ways. They’re flexible in what they eat and where they live, and they don’t seem especially put out by being in close proximity to humans.

The nine-banded armadillo; one of the many official state mammals of Texas. Image: Robert Nunnally. Nine-banded armadillo may also have an advantage when it comes to reproduction. While females only mate once a year, and only release one egg at a time, that single fertilized egg consistently yields four offspring – genetically identical quadruplets. Four kids for the price of one egg. Not a bad deal if you’re looking to increase your numbers. The phenomenon is called obligate polyembryony (meaning it’s the rule rather than the exception, unlike the fluky twinning seen in mammal species like ours), and is shared by other armadillos of the Dasypus genus. The nine-bander isn’t even the most prolific of the lot. The southern long-nosed armadillo (Dasypus hybridus) produces litters of 6-12 identically adorable armadillo pups. Can anything stop the nine-band armadillo’s merciless march north? Well, colder and drier climates seem to slow them down a little. But the rest of you can expect to find them gutting your flower gardens as they forage for tasty insects.

Lovable lepers It’s perhaps best that non-native Americans aren’t especially keen on hunting armadillos for food, as the animals are now notorious carriers of leprosy. While still prevalent in some parts of the world today, leprosy has largely been eradicated in the United States. But of the cases that do occur here, many may be due to contact with armadillos . Though don’t be too quick to judge. Leprosy didn’t exist in the Americas prior to colonialism. So if you must blame anyone for armadillo-to-human leprosy transmission, blame Europe. In terms of scientific research, armadillo leprosy has proven rather convenient. They’re the only animals besides primates capable of hosting the bacteria that cause the disease, and as a result have become the go-to research animal for its study. Armadillos are actually more susceptible to leprosy than our species, due to their body temperature, which is low by mammal standards and especially hospitable to the bacteria. [Bonus fact: Another consequence of their cooler body temperature is that male armadillos needn’t worry about overcooking their delicate gametes.

Testes can thus be safely housed in the abdomen, rather than dangling precariously in the external scrotum of the typical XY mammal.] Kings of the road My first nine-banded armadillo sighting occurred within a month of moving to Texas. The animal was noisily foraging just outside the fence of my father’s backyard, inciting much frantic yelping and lunging from his dogs. My tale is unusual, I’m told, in that most Texans see multiple dead armadillos on the side of the road before ever encountering a living specimen. Some claim that the nine-banded armadillos’ defensive strategy of jumping (rather than simply running) when startled is the cause of their unhappy interactions with automobiles. While this could certainly be a factor, another possibility is that the species’ generally beneficial ability to tolerate human proximity works against them in this case. They may be so unperturbed by the sound of human activity (cars included) that they don’t realize they’re in danger until it’s too late. Either way, armadillos aren’t actually the most numerous car-killed cadavers found on southern U.S. roadways, coming in only third after skunks and opossums.

Perhaps they’re just the most memorable. * Much of the information on nine-banded armadillos in this post comes from The Nine-Banded Armadillo: A Natural History . This article was originally published in February 2015.

Question: Pink Fairy and Nine Banded are species of which animal?
Answer: Armadillo